Daily Scripture:‘Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no saviour..’ (Isaiah 43, 10-1)Daily Reflection:Tuesday 1st DecemberChristians believe that there is only one true God – the God who came down to earth, was born as a human baby, and became the Saviour of the world. We celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas and his resurrection at Easter, because we recognise the true sovereignty of the only God who ever ransomed Himself on our behalf. No "deity" has ever done such a thing before or after Jesus. In giving Himself up to, and overcoming death for us, He earned the name “Saviour”. What do we need saving from? In short, ourselves. Paul the apostle says that there is no one who is perfect, and if that is true, then we are all flawed in some way, and need saving. In Acts 4 v 12 we read “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” He is the Lord, our only Saviour and our true hope.Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:How beautiful upon the mountainsare the feet of the messenger who announces peace,who brings good news,who announces salvation,who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’ (Isaiah 52:7)Daily Reflection:Suddenly, Advent is upon us and we are waiting for Christmas. We are waiting for the One who will come and announce “Peace!” The peace that He will pronounce to us, is peace between us and God. From this peace all other peace can flow. When we know Jesus, we have peace in our hearts, peace we can share with others, making us ourselves one of those messengers, whose fleet feet upon the mountains bring the message of peace, of salvation to others. To be saved is to be salvaged, like a shipwreck on the beach. We are towed to safe waters, set on our keel and sent on our way, so that we can ourselves bring the message to others. And the message is Good News: Your God reigns! Revd Ylva
Daily ScriptureIt’s like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge , each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back .... If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ (Mark 13.35-7)Daily ReflectionOver the centuries there have been many self-styled ‘prophets’ claiming to know when and how the world will end, and frightening many gullible souls into believing that the apocalypse is imminent. Yet Jesus tells his disciples that even he does not know when this will happen. When he calls us to ‘watch’, to be alert, he is not suggesting that we should be in a permanent state of fear and anxiety, but rather that we should lead our lives in such a way that we need not be ashamed or fearful whenever God may call us - whether at the Last Day or at the time of our own death. A wonderful old lady I once knew used to say, ‘I’m in no hurry, but I’m ready when he comes for me’.May God grant us such a faith. Revd Rosemary
Daily Scripture:‘The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all those who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season. You open wide your hand and fill all things living with plenty…..The Lord is near to those who call upon him, to all who call upon him faithfully.’ (Psalm 145 v 15 -17 & 19)Daily Reflection: I don’t know about you but the news this week that we are to endure yet another phase of near lockdown, has left me somewhat crest fallen and bowed down. We are all watching and waiting to see what will come next - hoping that we will at least be able to see some of our nearest and dearest over the festive season - But there is hope at the end of the tunnel, there is hope in the Lord, who will, in our true hour of need, give us what he has promised, he will lift up all who are bowed down - he will open wide his hands as long as we remember to call on Him in faith - that is surely something to look forward to. Lyn Hayes ALM
